, 1887-02-24

key. Then she Leaned painting against the
wall and listened to the movements OF the
trapped burglar.
For n few moments there was perfect
stiffness As If he were trying to realize the
meaning OF that click of the lock; then
she heard him 20 TO the door and turn the
handle, first softly, then louder and louder.
Maud clasped her hands tightly together,
feeling almost hysterical between laughter
and nervousness. Then the rafting stopped
and n voice said slowly:
Miss Estabrookl Are you still theref'
Yes answered Maud, holding her
breath.
You are not aware that you have
locked me ini'
Maud hesltated for an instant. But
since the explanation must come, II might
as well come ut once. Yes" she
answered, clearly. Il did it intention
ally"
'In-deedr' The blended accent OF this
word made her feel hysterlcal again. per
haps you would not mind telling me why
you did it,
Because you ARE n burglar, " answered
the girl, concisely.
There WINS an indistlnct mutter which
might or might not have been an expletive.
Then, after u silence, the voice inquired,
quite formally, "And might | ask what
you mean 10 DO with fnef'
Keep you shut up here until my broth.
er or the gardner ome back; and
them
Then replied Maud with n sudden
inspiration, I'VE will let you go, If you
will 20 peaceably.'
There was n sound Of suppressed laugh
ter at this. Then the voice rejolned
politely: Thanks. I will give you any
assurances you require"
Maud went down to the dining room,
where she busted herself in packing a
basket. After this, returning up stairs,
she called TO her prisoner: "Mr.-Mr.
Folliottl'
'.Yes;i'
IF you will open the closet you will find
IL rope. Please let 1t down and we will
send you up some supper"
The stranger obeyed, and IA well filled
basket was soon lifted through the win
low into his room. Maud Hospitality
hoped he had everything he wished.
Thanks; not quite" was the delib'
crate answer. IF ! might ask for q
couple Of Toms cigarss''
'Tom, indeedi The wretchr' com.
mented Toms sister to herself. Then,
aloud: ''Oh, certainly, If you will let the
basket down again"
AT this point Mrs. Estabrook remon
strated. Really, Maud, that is toe
muchi''
"Oh, mamma, anything to keep him
quiet and good Tempered said Maud
"And you know he was to have taken tes
with u.s."
'But If he should burn the house down
smoking HEMP anxiously suggested her
mother.
"Well, perhaps it's safer To give him
something to use his matches WITH - an
swered Maud, with a mastery stroke OF
logic. "And they always do have
matches" she concluded, indefinitely.
Her reasoning carried the day, 80 the
cigars went up and the rope came down,
for this was a point OF which Maud was
firm. She had no intention of leaving
that rope in their burglarious VISITORS
possession.
The evening waned, and still there was
no sign Of Peters return. The two ladies
did not dream Of sleeping, but kept watch
throughout the night in the room adjoin-
ing that of their prisoner, bracing them
selves with strong tea for their task. 1t
was weary work, however, and the min
utes crept slowly into the small hours.
The hall clock had just struck the quar-
ter before 2, when the silence of the
house was disturbed by a little sound
which seemed preternaturally loud to
their strained ears. Mrs. Estabrook sat
erect to listen, while Maud turned up the
glimmering lamp. Again came the sound,
slight but distinct, scratch, ~scratch-fle,
file"
'Maud, what is that noisey" said Mrs.
Estabrook, with the calmness of despair.
Maud declined to commit herself prema-
turely.
Maud - said her mother, 'it's down
at the piazza window. lists a con-
federate of that man in therel Oh, don I
tell mel | KNOW
Maud frowned tAoughtfully. Her
mothers idea seemed only too plausible.
He'll get in and let the other one out, -
pursued Mrs. E~stabrook, breathlessly
land then they'll go through the house
and rob and murder us all. Oh, deari
Oh-hln
Don't, mamma, dearl pray don't"
entreated Maud, as the poor lady, over
whelmed by her own picture, showed
signs Of becoming historical, and uttered
several small screams. Upon this the oc-
cupnnt of the next room, who hitherto
had given no sign of life, began to knock
on the door between the two chambers.
Maud drew near, and the following con-
versation took place:
Miss Estabrook!"
Yes
Excuse me, but Is anything wrongf''
Maud hesitated. Mrs. Estabrook mean
time had checked herself, and was hold
ing her breath to listen. Receiving no
answer, he presently spoke again.
"What Is that noise l hear down s~tairsS'
1--WE don't know" said Maud; "but"-
but whatf Is that what is alarming
your
Maud considered. I'VE ARE afraid It Is
IA burglar
What Another" exclaimed the stran-
ger. Then he checked himself. Don't
you think you'd better send me to dispose
Of him he suggested, with an admirable
assumption OF the boldness of innocence.
"Maudl' sharply protested Mrs. Esta
brook.
zone moment, mamma" rejoined her
daughter, II am not sure.n She turned
to the door again. You are quite GER
tain he is not ALBANIAN assistant Of
yourss' she asked in the p%olitest terms
she could select.
Let me out and you shall see. Upon
my honor Here the words were lost
in n stihed sound.
as the man laughing'" demanded Mrs.
Estabrook in angry amaze; then, as a new
suspicion entered her mind: Maud, do
You believe he is exactly In his right
mindi'
II don't think he can be" Maud an
swered doubtfully; but seeing her mothers
growing alarm she hastened to add: but
we evidently have a certain control over
him, nnd-really, mamma, l don't know
but it would be better to let him drive the
other away No, but hear me out. They
can't be accomplices, and II we must be in
the power of either, why, I would much